Watching a boxer’s first step on the professional journeys always something special, particularly if it is at a unique event like the Summer Rumble.
The annual Stadium of Light show has witnessed many throughout the decade and two newcomers will step into the ring this Sunday.
Jeff Neesham, a very good amateur with High Fell ABC, and East Durham ABC’s Alex Farrell will both be in action.
Just 12 months ago, Joe Laws and Terence Wilkinson debuted at Sunderland’s football ground, Laws stopping Sylwester Walczakin the fourth round of a typical all-action display and Wilkinson simply superb against Naheem Chaudhry.
Both Laws and Wilkinson box this Sunday for the sixth time so the Summer Rumble is quite a platform for a new professional.
Tommy Ward had his first contest at the 2012 Rumble, beating Elemir Rafael, while former Northern Area champ, Daniel Cope, did likewise in 2014 against JP McGuiness.
One of the finest debut performances you will ever see came at the Summer Rumble when former World Cadet silver medallist, Mick Hadfield, defeated Pavels Senkovs. What a pity the Hartlepool boxer had just one more contest.
Hopefully, messrs Farrell and Neesham will go on to enjoy long and happy careers.
Neesham, who meets Bradford’s Jake Pollard, has enjoyed success on the amateur circuit and needs little introduction.
Farrell faces Lithuanian Arvydas Trizno and comes to the ring as a fascinating figure – a Greek studying and living in Newcastle and boxing out of the Dave Binns stable at East Durham College in Peterlee.
“I think the fans will enjoy watching Alex, he’s class,” Binns told punch-lines.
“For years he’s been getting the bus down from Newcastle every night, he’s a lovely kid.
“I know his coach very well from Greece, Babis Statiou, and when Alex came over to study at Northumbria University I was delighted to train him.”
Alex Farrell (pictured left) hardly sounds Greek, but he is, in fact he’s a former Greece amateur champion, who holds dual nationality.
His amateur record is a good one and has a win over current team-mate Tom Hill under his belt.
“There’s an aura about him,” added Binns. “That’s probably one of the best ways to sum Alex up.”
We will get to see just what he’s all about on Sunday. Tickets will be available on the door at the main entrance to the Stadium of Light. Doors will open at 12.30pm with boxing due to start an hour later.
Words: Roy Kelly
